Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device capable of reducing unnecessary power consumption.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 can switch between a first power state and a second power state with less power consumption than in the first power state. The image formation device 100 includes a detection part 11, a reception part 2, a determination part 101, and a change part 102. The detection part 11 detects a detection object. The reception part 2 receives operation from the detection object, and generates operation information indicating an operation content from the detection object. The determination part 101 determines whether or not use of the image formation device 100 has been ended. The change part 102 changes a first time to a second time. The determination part 101 determines whether or not the use of the image formation device 100 has been ended on the basis of end information on the end of the operation and a detection result of the detection part 11. When the determination part 101 determines that the use of the image formation device 100 has been ended, the change part 102 changes the first time until it is shifted to the second power state from the first power state, to the second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The image forming device described in Patent Document 1 operates in a first power state and a second power state that is more energy-efficient than the first power state. The image forming device includes a detection means and a control means. The detection means detects an object. When the detection means changes to a state in which it does not detect an object, the control means transitions the image forming device to the second power state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-5905 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming device described in Patent Document 1, the detection unit detects an object, which is a detection target, and the device transitions to the second power state. Therefore, the image forming device cannot accurately determine whether the detection target is absent. As a result, unnecessary power is consumed before the device transitions to the second power state.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing unnecessary power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is capable of switching between a first power state and a second power state consuming less power than the first power state. The image forming apparatus includes a detection unit, a reception unit, a determination unit, and a change unit. The detection unit detects a detection target. The reception unit receives an operation from the detection target and generates operation information indicating the operation content from the detection target. The determination unit determines whether or not use of the image forming apparatus has ended. The change unit changes a first time period from the first power state to the second power state to a second time period that is shorter than the first time period. The operation information includes end information regarding the end of the operation. The determination unit determines whether or not use of the image forming apparatus has ended based on the end information regarding the end of the operation and a detection result of the detection unit. When the determination unit determines that use of the image forming apparatus has ended, the change unit changes the first time period from the first power state to the second power state to the second time period. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a determination process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] The configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image.

[0011] Image forming apparatus 100 is capable of switching between a first power state and a second power state. The first power state is a state in which image forming apparatus 100 is capable of forming an image. The second power state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first power state.

[0012] Image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing 1, a paper feed section 3, a conveyance section 4, a supply section 5, an image forming section 6, a discharge section 7, a storage section 9, and a power supply section 19. In this embodiment, image forming apparatus 100 forms images by a monochrome method.

[0013] The paper feed section 3 stores a plurality of recording media S, and feeds the stored recording media S one by one.

[0014] The conveying section 4 conveys the fed recording medium S to the discharge section 7.

[0015] The replenishing unit 5 refills consumables to the image forming unit 6. In this embodiment, the consumables are toner.

[0016] The image forming unit 6 executes an image forming process. More specifically, the image forming unit 6 uses consumables to form an image (toner image) on the recording medium S. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 6 includes an exposure device, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a cleaning device, a transfer device, and a fixing device (not shown), and forms an image by an electrophotographic method.

[0017] The discharge unit 7 discharges the recording medium S on which the toner image is fixed from inside the housing 1 through a recording medium discharge port onto a discharge tray.

[0018] The memory unit 9 stores various types of data. The memory unit 9 is configured with a storage device and a semiconductor memory. The storage device is configured with, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The semiconductor memory is configured with, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). The memory unit 9 stores a control program.

[0019] The power supply unit 19 supplies power to at least some of the components constituting the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0020] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a detection unit 11, a reception unit 2, and a control unit 10.

[0021] The detection unit 11 detects a detection target. The detection unit 11 outputs a detection result. The detection result includes detection information indicating that the detection target has been detected. The detection unit 11 is, for example, a human presence sensor. The human presence sensor detects a user as the detection target, and generates a detection signal indicating that the user has been detected.

[0022] The reception unit 2 receives an operation from a user and generates an operation signal indicating the operation content from the user. The operation signal is generated while the user is performing an operation, and is not generated while the user is not performing an operation. The operation information includes end information regarding the end of the operation.

[0023] The reception unit 2 includes a touch panel 21 and a plurality of operation keys 22. The touch panel 21 includes a display and a touch sensor.

[0024] The display displays various screens. The various screens include a standby screen and a service screen. The standby screen includes, for example, a menu button for instructing the execution of various processes. The menu buttons include, for example, a button for canceling a process executed by the image forming apparatus 100, a button for instructing the formation of an image on the recording medium S, and a button for returning to the standby screen. The button for returning to the standby screen is an example of a "specific button." The service screen is, for example, a screen for changing settings of the image forming apparatus 100. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display (Organic Electro Luminescence Display).

[0025] The touch sensor detects a touch by a detectable object. The touch sensor outputs a position signal indicating a position where the touch by the detectable object is detected. The detectable object is, for example, a user's finger. The touch sensor is, for example, a resistive film type touch sensor. The multiple operation keys 22 include, for example, a numeric keypad, a start key, and a cancel key.

[0026] The reading unit 8 reads information about the recording medium S from the recording medium S. The reading unit 8 is, for example, a scanner. The reading unit 8 also reads an image formed on the recording medium S. The reading unit 8 includes a contact glass, a platen cover, a light-emitting unit, and an image sensor. The recording medium S is placed on the contact glass. The platen cover covers the contact glass. The light-emitting unit is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The image sensor reads information about the recording medium S.

[0027] The control unit 10 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 10 also includes an integrated circuit for image formation processing. The integrated circuit for image formation processing is configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a control program.

[0028] The control unit 10 includes a determination unit 101, a change unit 102, a clock unit 103, and a switching unit 104. Specifically, the control unit 10 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 9 to function as the determination unit 101, the change unit 102, the clock unit 103, and the switching unit 104.

[0029] The switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 between a first power state and a second power state. For example, when the detection unit 11 detects a user, the switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 from the second power state to the first power state. Also, when the detection unit 11 does not detect a user within a first time period, the switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 from the first power state to the second power state.

[0030] The determination unit 101 determines whether or not the use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended. Specifically, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended, based on end information regarding the end of the operation and the detection result of the detection unit 11.

[0031] The change unit 102 changes the first time required for transition from the first power state to the second power state to the second time. The second time is shorter than the first time. The first time is set in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 9. The second time is also set in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 9.

[0032] Specifically, when the determining unit 101 determines that the use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended, the changing unit 102 changes the first time required for the transition from the first power state to the second power state to the second time. Therefore, when transitioning from the first power state to the second power state, the accuracy of determining whether to transition to the second power state can be improved compared to a case in which the transition from the first power state to the second power state is made only by the human presence sensor. Furthermore, the time required for the transition to the second power state can be shortened. In other words, the power saving time can be lengthened. As a result, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

[0033] The end information includes at least one of information indicating an instruction to cancel the process executed by image forming apparatus 100, an instruction indicating that a specific button has been operated, and information indicating that the process of forming an image on recording medium S has ended. Therefore, triggered by the instruction to cancel, the specific button, and the end of the process of forming an image on recording medium S, determination unit 101 can acquire detection information indicating that detection unit 11 has detected a user. As a result, based on the detection of the user at the end of the operation, the state of image forming apparatus 100 can be transitioned from the first power state to the second power state.

[0034] Furthermore, the information indicating that the process of forming an image on the recording medium S has ended includes, for example, information indicating that the job of forming an image has ended.

[0035] Furthermore, the determination unit 101 determines that use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended based on the end information and the detection information detected by the detection unit 11 after the end information. When a user is detected after information indicating that use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended, it is highly likely that the user is approaching the image forming apparatus 100 to collect the recording medium S on which the image has been formed. In this case, the user does not use the image forming apparatus 100 continuously. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can be put into the second power state. This further improves the accuracy of the determination to transition to the second power state. As a result, unnecessary power consumption can be further reduced.

[0036] Specifically, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the operation information includes end information. Then, when the operation information includes end information, the determination unit 101 determines that the use of the image forming apparatus has ended based on the detection information. In other words, the user approaches the image forming apparatus 100 to collect the recording medium S on which an image has been formed, and the user does not use the image forming apparatus 100 continuously. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can be put into the second power state. This further improves the accuracy of the determination to transition to the second power state. As a result, unnecessary power consumption can be further reduced.

[0037] The timekeeping unit 103 keeps track of time. Specifically, the timekeeping unit 103 keeps track of a first time or a second time. The timekeeping unit 103 may keep track of both the first time and the second time.

[0038] Specifically, when the change unit 102 changes the first time to the second time, the timer unit 103 measures the time until the second time is reached. Then, when the timer unit 103 measures the second time, the switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 from the first power state to the second power state. The timeout for the process of measuring the second time is shorter than the timeout for the process of measuring the first time. Therefore, the time required to transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode can be made shorter than normal. As a result, the period in the second power state can be made longer.

[0039] Furthermore, when the detection unit 11 detects a user while the clock unit 103 is timing the first time, the clock unit 103 may reset the timing of the first time. Furthermore, during a period in which the timing of the first time is reset and the reception unit 2 outputs operation information to the control unit 10, the clock unit 103 may stop timing the first time. Furthermore, when the detection unit 11 detects a user while the clock unit 103 is timing the second time, the clock unit 103 may reset the timing of the second time. Furthermore, during a period in which the timing of the second time is reset and the reception unit 2 outputs operation information to the control unit 10, the clock unit 103 may stop timing the second time. Furthermore, when resetting the timing of the second time, the change unit 102 may change the time required for transition from the first power state to the second power state from the second time to the first time.

[0040] Next, a process executed by image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the process executed by image forming apparatus 100. The process executed by image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 3 includes steps S10 to S70. Image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 3 is in a state where it has accepted a job from a user.

[0041] In step S10, the switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 from the second power state to the first power state. The process proceeds to step S20.

[0042] In step S20, the timing unit 103 times the first time. The process proceeds to step S30.

[0043] In step S30, the determination unit 101 executes a determination process. Specifically, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended. More specifically, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the use of the image forming apparatus 100 has ended based on end information regarding the end of the operation and the detection result of the detection unit 11. The process proceeds to step S40.

[0044] In step S40, the change unit 102 changes the first time period required for transition from the first power state to the second power state to the second time period. The process proceeds to step S50.

[0045] In step S50, the timing unit 103 measures the second time. The process proceeds to step S60.

[0046] In step S60, the control unit 10 determines whether or not operation information has been generated from the reception unit 2. If the reception unit 2 has not generated operation information (No in step S60), the process returns to step S20. If the reception unit 2 has generated operation information (Yes in step S60), the process proceeds to step S70.

[0047] If the answer is Yes in step S60, in step S70, the switching unit 104 switches the state of the image forming apparatus 100 from the first power state to the second power state, and the process ends.

[0048] Next, the determination process executed by image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the determination process executed by image forming apparatus 100. The determination process executed by image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 4 includes steps S31 to S33.

[0049] In step S31, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the operation information includes end information. If the operation information does not include end information (No in step S31), the process repeats step S31. If the operation information includes end information (Yes in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0050] If the result of step S31 is Yes, then in step S32, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not a detection target has been detected based on the detection result of the detection unit 11. If a detection target has been detected (Yes in step S32), the process returns to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. If a detection target has not been detected (No in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0051] If the result in step S32 is No, in step S33, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the standby time until the detection target is detected has ended. If the standby time has ended, the process returns to step S31. If the standby time has not ended, the process returns to step S33.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 2: Reception 11: Detection unit 100: Image forming apparatus 101: Judgment section 102: Change section 103: Timing section 104: Switching section S: Recording medium

Claims

1. 1. An image forming apparatus capable of switching between a first power state and a second power state in which power consumption is less than that of the first power state, A detection unit that detects a detection target; a reception unit that receives an operation from the detection target and generates operation information indicating the operation content from the detection target; a determination unit that determines whether or not use of the image forming apparatus has ended; a change unit that changes a first time period required for transition from the first power state to the second power state to a second time period that is shorter than the first time period; Equipped with the operation information includes end information regarding an end of the operation, the determining unit determines whether or not use of the image forming apparatus has been completed based on the end information and a detection result of the detecting unit; When the determination unit determines that use of the image forming apparatus has ended, the change unit changes the first time required for transition from the first power state to the second power state to the second time.

2. the detection result includes detection information indicating that the detection object has been detected, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines that use of the image forming apparatus has ended based on the end information and detection information detected by the detecting unit after the end information.

3. The detection result includes detection information indicating that the detection target has been detected. The determination unit is determining whether the operation information includes the end information; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the end information is included, it is determined that use of the image forming apparatus has ended based on the detection information.

4. A timing unit that measures time; a switching unit that switches a state of the image forming apparatus between the first power state and the second power state; Further comprising: When the change unit changes the first time to the second time, the timekeeping unit measures the time until the second time is reached, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the timer unit has clocked the second time, the switching unit switches the state of the image forming apparatus from the first power state to the second power state.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the termination information includes at least one of information indicating an instruction to cancel a process executed by the image forming apparatus, an instruction indicating that a specific button has been operated, and information indicating that a process of forming an image on a recording medium has been completed.

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